Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 3226 to 3250 of 4943 results

3226. The Choice: Obedience or Punishment

Lev 26:1-46

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... . There will not be enough dough or wood during the siege to use more ovens. dole out the bread by weight. This refers to rationing food because of famine from besiegement. 26:27–28 seven times over. Again, even worse punishments will follow continued disobedience. 26:29 You will eat . . . your sons and . . . daughters. The famine will be so brutal that people will cannibalize their children (cf. 2 Kings 6:28–29; Lam. 4:10). 26:30 high places. These are shrines where Yahweh is often worshiped ...

3227. The Aaronic Blessing

Numbers 6:22-27

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... . Illustrating the Text If we want God’s blessings, we must live under his authority. News: Sean and Elizabeth Canning were thrust into the international spotlight in 2014 when their daughter, Tanya, secured a lawyer and sued them. Her contention: her parents should continue to provide financial support to their eighteen-year-old daughter even though she had left their home. According to reports, the young woman had been unwilling to live under her parents’ rules, yet she expected them to provide the ...

3228. Preparations for Worship (Part 2)

Num 8:1-26

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... ’s presence among his people. The menorah is lit at evening and burns until morning (Exod. 27:21) so that an Israelite at night will from time to time see it flickering through the cracks of the curtain within the holy place. This flickering is a continual reminder throughout the night that the glow of God’s presence is in the midst of his people. Christian worship also includes a sense of the presence of God. This is not manifested with a lampstand or the bread of the Presence, but rather at Communion ...

3229. Portions for the Priests and the Levites

Numbers 18:8-32

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... the temple (Neh. 13:10). Malachi 3:8–10, in approximately the same period as Nehemiah, reports a similar problem of the people failing to give the required tithe, describing this as “robbing God.” Interpretive Insights 18:8–24 For these Levitical regulations, God continues to address Aaron (see v. 1). 18:9 the most holy offerings. The portion of the offerings given to God on the altar from the grain, sin, or guilt offerings is regarded as most holy, meaning that it can be eaten only by a male ...

3230. A Failure of Leadership

Num 20:14-29

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... , Esau. Edom is Israel’s “brother” nation, more closely related to Israel ethnically than any other nation. That is why the first message to Edom is so much like a letter from a long-lost relative. But Edom’s response is a flat no. Moses, however, continues in the request, trying to reason with the Edomites. He promises to pay for any resources that Israel uses while passing through. But the response this time is a no accompanied by a large army dispatched from Edom to block any attempt by Israel to ...

3231. Balaam’s Donkey

Numbers 22:21-41

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... witness as a whole indicates that Balaam is greedy for gain and indifferent to the morality of cursing an innocent people for money. To the end he remains stubbornly intent on cursing Israel in defiance of the will of God. Balaam ends up being executed for continuing to try to harm Israel (Num. 31:8), fulfilling the words of the promise to Abraham: “Whoever curses you I will curse” (Gen. 12:3). There are people today who claim to have insights into the divine, who may even say very good things about God ...

3232. The Daughters of Zelophehad (Part 1)

Numbers 27:1-11

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... The Giving Pledge and invited others to join them. These philanthropists were bound together by their net worths—at least a billion dollars each—and by their commitment to part with at least half of their net worth in their lifetimes. The list has continued to expand to include billionaires from around the globe, and it has opened up to people of all incomes. A list of signatories is published online, allowing people to view profiles for each of the generous donors. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it? But ...

3233. Joshua Appointed as Moses’s Successor

Numbers 27:12-23

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... Round Table. We may even have played games as children, dubbing a friend with a play stick-sword. In Great Britain, the ancient tradition of conveying knighthood continues to this day. It can be assigned only by the queen (or king). The official website of the British monarchy contains fascinating information about the historical development and continued practice of knighthood (and damehood for women).4 Just as the words, “I dub thee Sir . . .” publicly convey a position and set of expectations, so the ...

3234. The Sacrifices of the Sacred Calendar

Num 28:1–29:40

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... in the Old Testament, Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery, and gives Israel the paradigm of God as its savior (Exod. 15:2). The Day of Atonement (Num. 29:7–11) shows how God purifies his sanctuary of the sins of the people so that they can continue to dwell in his midst (Lev. 16). Similarly, festival days such as Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter remind us of how God has come to save us and has provided a means of forgiveness. If we are creative, we can find ways to employ all the special ...

3235. Keeping Promises

Numbers 30:1-16

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Joe M. Sprinkle

... that many people, unlike ancient Israelites, fail to take vows or oaths seriously. The high failure rate of marriages has led to a trend in wedding ceremonies to replace “as long as you both shall live” with words such as “for as long as we continue to love each other,” or “for as long as our love shall last,” or even “until our time together is over.”6While this change represents a commendable desire of couples not to make promises that they may be unwilling or unable to keep, the change ...

3236. The Lord Decides to Build David a House

2 Samuel 7:18-29, 2 Samuel 7:1-17

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... into the exilic and postexilic periods (see “Additional Insights” at the end of this unit), giving the exiles reason to be encouraged and optimistic about their future. The Davidic Covenant: Standing in tension with the unconditional promise of a lasting Davidic dynasty are passages where the continuation of the dynasty appears to be conditional (cf. 1 Kings 2:1–4; 6:11–13; 8:23–26; 9:3–9; 1 Chron. 28:9; Ps. 132:11–12; Jer. 17:24–25; 22:1–9). In Psalm 89:39a the psalmist even laments that ...

3237. A Prodigal Son Comes Home in Body, but Not in Spirit

2 Sam 14:1–15:12

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... intercession on behalf of Absalom, Joab has not even gone this far. In the story he gives the woman to tell, Absalom’s guilt is obvious, as the clan’s reaction makes clear (14:7a). The reason for sparing the murderer is purely pragmatic: to ensure the continuation of the father’s name (v. 7b). 15:1 Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses. According to the standards of the culture, Absalom’s acquisition of a chariot and horses gives him a royal aura (see 1 Sam. 8:11; 1 Kings 1:5). 15 ...

3238. The Ark Does Some Damage

1 Samuel 5:1-12

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... grain supposedly provided by the Philistine grain-god Dagon (15:4–5), who is viewed as Baal’s father. Though Dagon seems to win the conflict (16:23–24), in the end Samson brings Dagon’s temple to the ground (16:30). The polemic against both of these gods continues in 1 Samuel. As noted above, Hannah celebrates the Lord’s ability to give fertility (1 Sam. 2:1–10) in terms that echo the Baal myths. Now chapter 5 tells how the ark of God humiliates Dagon in the latter’s very own temple and then ...

3239. Repentance and Victory

1 Samuel 7:2-17

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... allegiance to the Lord are foundational to a restored relationship with him. Understanding the Text This chapter depicts Samuel as a spiritual and military leader. He revives Israel spiritually and politically and delivers them from Philistine bondage. This positive portrait of Samuel continues the contrast with Eli’s house so evident in chapters 2–4. Israel’s defeat was closely linked with the death of Eli and his sons. The text even seems to indicate that it was their sin that brought about the loss ...

3240. The Lord Is with David

1 Samuel 18:1-30

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

... When Saul realized. In verse 15 Saul sees how successful David is and fears him. Here his recognition deepens: he not only sees but also realizes (or, “knows”) that the Lord is with David. Theological Insights As noted above, in this chapter the narrator continues to mount his case that David is God’s chosen king, even though he also refuses to whitewash David. The Lord is with David and grants him success (vv. 5, 12, 14, 28, 30). The narrator presents contrasting responses to God’s chosen king ...

3241. Job’s Reply to Eliphaz

Job 6:1–7:21

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Daniel J. Estes

... troubling fears. Job recognizes that the omniscient God knows and sees all things, so what he says is known by God already. But his very act of saying these things directly to God indicates that Job is confident that his relationship with God is intact. This continuing relationship means that Job can and should share freely and fully from his heart. In a similar way, Peter later challenges his readers to cast all of their anxiety upon God, confident that God cares for them (1 Pet. 5:7). As Job shares what ...

3242. Job Destroys the Friends’ Major Argument

Job 21:1-34

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Daniel J. Estes

... . They do not seem to be interested in listening to Job but only in talking at him. No doubt his words are punctuated by frustration as he urges them to be silent and to listen carefully to what he is trying to say to them. After that, they can continue to deride him. Just as the friends have dismissed Job as arrogant and blasphemous (cf. Eliphaz’s charges in 15:2–13), so he writes them off as mockers who only want to ridicule him. 21:4 Is my complaint directed to a human being? Job realizes that if ...

3243. Yahweh Speaks as the Master Teacher

Job 38:1--41:34

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Daniel J. Estes

... to pose questions to Job. After considering features of the non-living physical world in 38:4–38, in 38:39 Yahweh began to focus his queries on the animal realm, and this topic continues throughout the entirety of chapter 39. All the animals that Yahweh cites live beyond the control of humans. Most of them are totally wild, and even the warhorse is tamed only partially. Job does not comprehend the various features of the lives of these animals, but the chapter clearly implies ...

3244. “Show Me Your Ways, Lord”

Psalm 25:1-22

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C. Hassell Bullock

... , or national origin.[15] However, once a student has satisfied the requirements of a twelfth-grade education, the government tends to stop emphasizing the importance of education. Sadly, many Christians carry this notion into their Christian experience. Instead of realizing their need for spiritual continuing education until the day they die, many Christians wrongly believe that all they need to know can be gained through a half-hour sermon once a week. Psalm 25 shows David’s realization of his need to ...

3245. “If I Were Hungry I Would Not Tell You, for the World Is Mine, and All That Is in It”

Psalm 50:1-23

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C. Hassell Bullock

... , is composed of God’s words. 50:8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices . . . ever before me.Yahweh has no problem with their sacrifices or their burnt offerings. The “continual burnt offerings” were those sacrifices made in the morning and afternoon services (see Lev. 1 and 3). The word “continual,” or “ever” (tamid), gives the sacrifice its name, tamid. 50:9–11 I have no need of a bull from your stall.Yahweh explains why he has no need of the sacrifices ...

3246. “Come and See What God Has Done”

Psalm 66:1-20

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C. Hassell Bullock

... our heads”).6The Hebrew word for “abundance” denotes rest,7here most likely used as an allusion to Canaan. The psalmist has skipped from Egypt to Canaan, having already alluded to the Red Sea and the Jordan River in 66:6. 66:14 vows my lips promised.This continues the promise of 66:13 to fulfill his vows and provides a brief commentary on vow making, which is often done in a time of trouble. 66:15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams . . . bulls and goats. Here the person ...

3247. God Subjugates Judah under Babylon

Daniel 1:1-21

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Ronald W. Pierce

... God strengthened and sustained them as they resolved in their hearts to do the right thing through difficult circumstances. Find one person who experienced more outward evidence of God’s immediate blessings and another who was only sustained inwardly and had to endure continuing hardships during this time. Be sure to coach them both to focus on extolling God’s actions and strength, not their own. The point is to demonstrate God’s ability to deliver and bless, though he may choose to do so in widely ...

3248. Daniel Interprets the Dream and Confronts Nebuchadnezzar

Daniel 4:19-27

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Ronald W. Pierce

... literary unit. Against this backdrop, 4:19–27 forms the center of this narrative, shifting the story line from the telling of the dream to its interpretation and at the same time changing from first person to third when speaking of Nebuchadnezzar (continuing through 4:33).1It also presents Daniel the sage in his new role as prophet. Moreover, he functions in the classical sense of earlier Hebrew prophets in the Old Testament who confront persons on behalf of God and sometimes predict divine consequences ...

3249. The Writing on the Wall

Daniel 5:1-31

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Ronald W. Pierce

... common to using the vessels to worship false gods—and his nobles share his culpability (cf. 5:3–4; Isa. 44:9–20).11The idols are made of gold, silver, bronze, and iron, recalling Nebuchadnezzar’s statue (Dan. 2:31–45) and foreshadowing the continuing fulfillment of God’s judgment. Though Belshazzar may be seeking his gods’ protection, the focus is on his lack of humility—like that of Nebuchadnezzar (5:20, 22). 5:5–6 Suddenly the fingers of a human hand . . . wrote on the . . . wall. The ...

3250. Gabriel Brings an Answer to Daniel’s Prayer

Daniel 9:20-27

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Ronald W. Pierce

... Gabriel” also appears “in the earlier vision” (8:16), may be among the angels in 7:16 and 23, and may be the “man dressed in linen” in 10:5–6. Daniel’s successive references to earlier visions (8:1; 9:21) provide continuity and connectivity between these literary units.4 came to me in swift flight . . . evening sacrifice. The first clause may connote “touched me” or “reached me” (naga‘)[5] in “extreme weariness” (y e ‘ap)[6]—referring to Daniel instead of Gabriel (cf. NASB ...

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